Harassment and intimidation are driving local leaders away from public service, and we all stand to lose

“I genuinely worry about how our nation’s cities, towns and villages will attract and retain the talent we need,” writes the head of the National League of Cities.

By Clarence E. Anthony • April 19, 2022

Proposed California EV regs could be adopted by other states

In a bid to ramp up zero-emission vehicle sales, the policy move could ultimately enable regulators "to set the national standards that we need to meet our climate goals," said one transportation and clean air policy expert.

By Dan Zukowski • April 18, 2022

New York City civic engagement survey gathers over 62,000 community voices

The effort aimed to collect a diverse and representative sample of the city’s population for the start of a three-part effort to build consensus around city priorities.

By Austyn Gaffney • April 14, 2022

Bird pilot aims to give NYC wheelchair users reliable and fast transport options

Under New York’s e-scooter pilot program, Bird is providing a first-of-its-kind motorized attachment free to individuals who use wheelchairs.

By Austyn Gaffney • April 13, 2022

California regulators to update vehicle emission requirements as state seeks to spur EV transition

The California Air Resources Board will update regulations for vehicles emissions and zero-emission vehicle requirements, as advocates want automakers mandated to make electric vehicles available to frontline communities. 

By Dan Zukowski • April 13, 2022

City leaders share ideas on how to maximize federal dollars

At the Smart Cities Connect conference last week, local leaders called for a rethink of how cities seek to allocate federal dollars, including through community engagement, data-led decisions and regional collaborations. 

By Cailin Crowe • April 12, 2022

LA could build shelter beds for 60% of unhoused population under settlement agreement

The potentially $3 billion undertaking would create thousands of beds over five years. But despite its ability to aid unhoused people who "fall through the cracks," housing experts caution about the impacts of "shelter-first strategies." 

By Danielle McLean • April 11, 2022

5 smart city leaders weigh in on the industry's biggest challenges

At last week's Smart Cities Connect conference in Columbus, Ohio, attendees shared what they think is preventing cities from achieving their smart city goals.

By Cailin Crowe • April 11, 2022

For the Building Performance Standards Coalition to be effective, the White House must think bigger

The former head of the U.S. Green Building Council weighs in on how federal, state and local government partners can go beyond just reducing building emissions as they pursue decarbonization.  

By Mahesh Ramanujam • April 8, 2022

Transportation Department outlines $20B for transit available this year through infrastructure law

Funding is slated to benefit transit projects in all 50 states and nearly 200 communities and go to some 30 programs supporting everything from pavement repair to enhancing mobility options for older adults.

By Dan Zukowski • April 7, 2022

Universal basic mobility program in Oakland, California, provided lessons in achieving equity, leveraging community partnerships

The pilot met its goal of increasing transit use and gave the city insight on the administrative structures needed to distribute benefits via prepaid cards, an Oakland transportation planner said.

By Austyn Gaffney • April 6, 2022

What big cities can learn from the rural US about public transit

Grappling with bare-bones transportation networks, rural communities are implementing new transit innovations, a trend that federal infrastructure dollars could accelerate. 

By Scott James Matheson and Sam Couvillon • April 6, 2022

To ease fuel-price pain, subsidies, gas tax holidays, rebates gain momentum across the US

Chicago and California propose giving prepaid gas cards to eligible residents and assistance to public transit users. State and federal efforts to suspend gas taxes face criticism for potential economic and environmental impacts.

By Dan Zukowski • April 5, 2022

How to foster a more innovative culture at city hall: report

The Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative has a new guide for mayors, city managers and other local leaders to help them understand their organizational culture and assess whether it's inhibiting real change.

By Cailin Crowe • April 4, 2022

Mayors concerned about racial wealth gap, but no consensus on solutions: survey

The 2021 Menino Survey of Mayors found respondents are divided on the issue by political party and city size. Nearly all of those worried about the gap support solutions in general terms, but fewer favor specific efforts like reparations. 

By Danielle McLean • March 31, 2022

7 in 10 drivers use a mobile device behind the wheel: survey

The findings come as distracted driving incidents have killed a greater share of pedestrians and cyclists in the last decade.

By Dan Zukowski • March 31, 2022

IDC names 17 winners for its 2022 North America Smart City Awards

From Schenectady, New York, to Santa Ana, California, the group recognized smart city accomplishments across 14 categories for its fifth annual awards.

By Cailin Crowe • March 30, 2022

Biden calls for greater Amtrak, public transportation funds

The proposed budget includes $142 billion for the U.S. Department of Transportation, with $3 billion carved out for Amtrak and $13.6 billion for public transportation.

By Dan Zukowski • March 29, 2022

Affordable housing funding would expand in Biden's FY23 budget

With no path forward for housing provisions of last year's Build Back Better plan, the administration calls for $50 billion to increase the U.S. affordable housing supply and expand the federal Housing Choice Voucher program.

By Danielle McLean • March 29, 2022

Cities grapple with expected revenue declines as fewer workers commute downtown

Fewer commuting workers can mean less tax and fee revenue for cities. To address the shortfall, cities can turn to new revenue streams or budget cuts — or they can make their downtowns more appealing.

By Karen Kroll • March 28, 2022

Los Angeles moves forward with diverting some 911 calls to mental health professionals

The program is one of many alternative policing models cities have implemented since 2020's nationwide racial justice protests following the murder of George Floyd.

By Austyn Gaffney • March 24, 2022

Habitat for Humanity receives $436M donation to address global housing crisis

But housing experts say the large donation from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott and new advancements in home construction technology will not alone make housing affordable to families in U.S. cities.

By Danielle McLean • March 23, 2022

DC attorney general sues Grubhub over hidden fees

The complaint alleges Grubhub offered delivery from over 1,000 Washington, D.C., restaurants without their consent, but Grubhub denies violating local laws.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 22, 2022

SXSW 2022: Smart Cities Dive's coverage from Austin, Texas

At the SXSW conference this month — its first in-person event since 2019 — speakers dove into a range of issues affecting the future of cities and potential solutions to improve the quality of life for all.

March 21, 2022

Women mayors at SXSW address ongoing sexism in city politics

The mayors of Phoenix and Fort Worth, Texas, recounted the hurdles they have faced because of their gender during a panel at the conference in Austin, Texas.

By Danielle McLean • March 18, 2022